The Northwest Indiana Small Business Development Center has revealed its 2021 Entrepreneurial Excellence (E-Day) Award winners.
This year’s class includes:
- Small Business Person of the Year: Dave Lasser, Commercial In-Sites LLC, Merrillville
- Minority-Owned Business of the Year: Michael and Shelice Tolbert, Tolbert & Tolbert LLC, Gary
- Women-Owned Business of the Year: Amy Perry and Erin Lively, E&A Jewelers, Valparaiso
- Family-Owned Business of the Year: Konrady family, Konrady Plastics, Portage
- Emerging Business of the Year: Akhtar Zaman, Advanced Engineering Services, Hammond
- Young Entrepreneur: Brianna Hairlson, Bri’s Dance Place, Merrillville
- Small Business Advocate: Bert Cook, La Porte Economic Advancement Partnership (LEAP), LaPorte
- Advocate for Youth Entrepreneurship: Chareice White, ECIER Foundation (Educate, Create, Innovate, Entrepreneur, Relationships), Merrillville
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Stewart McMillan, Task Force Tips and MAAC Foundation (Multi Agency Academic Cooperative), Valparaiso
This year marks the 30th year of the awards program.
“It is amazing that we have been celebrating our entrepreneurial community for 30 years,” said Lorri Feldt, NW-ISBDC regional director. “The Class of 2021 honorees continue to confront and overcome the varied challenges that the current business climate has been throwing at them.”
Honorees will be recognized at an event on Nov. 11 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Avalon Manor, 3550 E. Lincoln Highway, in Hobart. Tickets are available online at www.edayleaders.com/event.
“While our winners may represent a wide range of industries, they all have created a ripple effect of positive impact in our communities,” Feldt said. “Also, our advocate category was expanded with the addition of youth entrepreneurship this year.”
